10/22/2012 |
Three keys for Giants to win Game 7 of NLCSFive times in franchise history, from New York to the West Coast, the Giants have extended a best-of-seven postseason series to its fullest extent and came away frustrated. They appear poised to end that skid in Monday night's finale of the NLCS, having won twice in a row to extend their streak of consecutive wins in elimination games to five.

10/21/2012 |
Belt in the middle of another Giants rallyBrandon Belt's first full season in the Major Leagues has had its share of frustrations, but all of that seemed to be a distant memory Sunday as he sparked a pivotal Giants rally in Sunday's 6-1 win.

10/21/2012 |
Sandoval's offense key to forcing Game 7Pablo Sandoval struggled early in the National League Championship Series, but he has picked it up in the last two games, just when the Giants needed him to step up.

10/21/2012 |
Having fun, Cain won't be overwhelmed by Game 7Superlatives and adjectives will be worn out in an attempt to capture the magic of a winner-take-all Game 7, but for Matt Cain, it's all about the simplest, most juvenile emotion: Fun.

10/21/2012 |
Rich history of Game 7 gets Cards-Giants additionA 2012 postseason that has seen more than its share of elimination games will include one more before the World Series begins, with the Giants and Cardinals stretching their best-of-seven National League Championship Series to the limit.

10/21/2012 |
Researcher helps White Sox understand fansThe White Sox announced major price reductions for tickets and parking on Thursday, but the evaluation process that led to that decision began in June, when the club sought out the services of Rich Luker.

10/21/2012 |
Giants fend off elimination, push NLCS to limitThe Giants evened the National League Championship Series at three games apiece with their 6-1 triumph in Sunday's Game 6 at AT&T Park. Ryan Vogelsong struck out a career-high nine batters in seven innings and Marco Scutaro lined a two-run double in a four-run, second-inning uprising.

10/21/2012 |
NL West balance isn't news to SabeanGiants general manager Brian Sabean wasn't surprised to see a National League West team already engage in significant trade activity in hopes of strengthening its roster.

10/21/2012 |
Red Sox resume special relationship with FarrellIn the end, it came down to relationships. The Red Sox liked what Brad Ausmus had to offer, but John Farrell is as intermingled with the team's culture as Mike Matheny is for the Cardinals.

10/21/2012 |
Nomadic Dotel seeks second straight Series titleReliever Ocatvio Dotel, who has played for 13 teams, hadn't gotten close to the World Series before winning it last season with the Cards, and now he's back in the Fall Classic with the Tigers and aiming to make it back-to-back championships.

10/21/2012 |
Valverde back on mound, pitches in scrimmageIn an empty Comerica Park in Sunday's scrimmage, Jose Valverde returned to game action for the first time since his four-run ninth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, eight days earlier.

10/21/2012 |
Fister, Sanchez, Scherzer to follow VerlanderTigers manager Jim Leyland was asked Sunday if the National League pennant winner would influence how he ordered his rotation. He responded by putting his rotation in order. Justin Verlander will start Game 1, followed by Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer.

10/21/2012 |
NLCS expected to wrap up despite rain in forecastThe National Weather Service was calling for showers to develop in San Francisco overnight, with a 90 percent chance of rain during the day Monday and tapering off toward the evening.

10/20/2012 |
Granderson reportedly to get eyes checked outThe Yankees are planning to send Curtis Granderson to see an eye specialist to find out if his eyesight contributed to his struggles at the plate, a source told the New York Daily News.

10/20/2012 |
CC set to see Dr. Andrews about bone spurThe Yankees are sending CC Sabathia to Dr. James Andrews, who will examine the southpaw's pitching elbow. According to reports, an MRI revealed a bone spur in the ace's left elbow.

10/20/2012 |
Valverde confident after tweaking pitching mechanicsJose Valverde elicits emotions on both sides whenever he passes through the bullpen doorway, let alone finally pitches. For him to take the mound to near-total silence is a journey to the bizarre.

10/20/2012 |
Tigers unlikely to change roster for World SeriesThe Tigers have until Wednesday morning to make any changes in their postseason roster, and they might not know their opponent until late Monday night. At this point, though, manager Jim Leyland expects they'll stick with the roster as is.

10/20/2012 |
Cards stay fluid, creative in building effective 'penAs St. Louis rides a deep and effective bullpen for a second consecutive season, it's hard to miss the parallels between the 2012 relief corps and the one the Cards relied so heavily on in the '11 postseason.

10/20/2012 |
Gritty Giants are a resilient groupCompeting is what the Giants do best, as general manager Brian Sabean has pointed out more than once. They lacked power, their once-dominant starting pitchers endured inconsistency and the offense needed more than half a season to gain a knack for situational hitting.